615 Jefferson Avenue, Suite 204 • Scranton, PA 18510 www.jfsoflackawanna.org
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S PRING 2010 I SSUE 21
Newsletter Sponsored by the Barbara Sapsowitz Memorial Fund
Jewish Family Service Accredited
Jewish Family Service has completed the reaccreditation process from the Council on Accreditation for Family and Children Services.
Maintaining our accreditation status says a great deal about the credibility of JFS and validates our financial, administrative and management integrity. The comprehensive process of reaccreditation directs our agency to update and review all areas of functioning to include human resources, financial management, performance quality improvement, risk management, ethics as well as management of all program areas from the intake process, treatment plan development, client rights and outcome measurements.
Established in 1977, the Council of Accreditation (COA) partners with human
service organizations worldwide to improve service delivery by developing, applying and promoting the highest standards of current professional practice. COA accredits more than 1800 public and private organizations throughout North America serving some seven million children, families and adults each year.
Achieving accreditation helps our JFS to focus on our unique mission and improve the lives of the people we serve. JFS is proud to be a member of the COA family of excellence.
Pictured are the members of the COA on-site review team with JFS Executive Director, Sheila Nudelman Abdo and agency President, Alan Smertz.
Feinstein Foundation
$1 Million Challenge Grant Program
For the 13th straight year, the Alan Shawn Feinstein Foundation in Rhode Island will distribute $1 million among non-profit agencies fighting hunger throughout the country. Each participating agency will get a share of the $1million equal to its proportion of the total amount raised by all participants. All donations designated to JFS’s Kosher-Meals-on-Wheels program, vouchers for food purchase and the Kosher Food Pantry during March 1 – April 30, 2010 are eligible. Donations of food items will be valued at $1.00 per item for reporting purposes. This wonderful challenge opportunity will help us fight hunger by helping us raise more money for members of our community.
Checks can be made out to Jewish Family Service with the designated program noted in the memo.
Please phone the office for further information.
Executive Director’s Message
Sheila Nudelman Abdo, ACSW, LCSW
As Executive Director of JFS, I find it a priority to pay attention to our donors and try my best to form
relationships with as many people as I can, be it in person or through a small note in the corner of my “thank you’s”.
Every now and then when I see a name that I’ve come to recognize over the years, but don’t know personally, I try to reach out and contact that person to understand their commitment and connection to JFS. I’d like to share a story about one such person who now lives in Florida and always responds to a request by JFS. This donor is like many of our donors, but there is something a little special about this gentleman. This donor always writes me a personal note which motivates and reminds me why JFS means so much and how our organization helps so many.
His last note applauded JFS for our selfless dedication and the great work that JFS does every day. He thanked me for giving him the opportunity to participate with JFS even in his very small way. He states the world needs JFS more than ever during these difficult, ever perilous days.
He signs off with “Sei gesind”…one of the few Yiddish phrases I grew up with and even understood.
His note touched me as I thought it would touch others so I wrote back to him to get his permission to share his kind words in the JFS newsletter. You might guess his response. I received a beautiful note thanking me for my kind words, with his permission to use his words as I wish
“in order to benefit your wonderful organization.” He continues with wishing me “success in all my
undertakings and enterprises which benefit so many” and asks that “G-d may grant the strength to continue our effective and noble work”. He signs off with be well and stay well. How meaningful and beneficial it was to me to reach out to one donor who I don’t even know. One donor has helped to connect and affirm for me the deeper motivation of all JFS donors. Thank you to all who help JFS to help others. JFS could not do what we do without each and every one of you.
SAVE THE DATE
Jewish Family Service of Lackawanna County invites you to join us for our 95th Annual Meeting honoring SHELDON GOLDSTEIN, with special recognition to The Scranton District Dental Society and their years of service to The Free Dental Clinic on Tuesday, June 15, 2010. Please join us as we celebrate 95 years of history at this special anniversary event.
More details to follow…
Change as we all know is a natural part of life and can occur for a variety of reasons. There are specific tools one can use to increase the chance that the changes you want to make will become part of your lifestyle:
1. Be realistic: Set goals that are reachable or can be achieved in a series of smaller goals or steps. Be as specific as possible; discuss your ideas with others.
2. Make a pro & a con list: Before deciding on an identified change, make a list of the benefits for and the consequences against making that change. Review the list with others that are important to you. Once you have decide your are going to start a process of making a change, keep and review the list. As you look at what is written, adjust it as the pros and cons become more evident.
3. Outline a plan: How will you address each step in the plan? What will you do if you begin to slide back or stop progressing? Create supports which you can use to get you back on the path or be able to discuss why it is hard to change and to support and help motivate you to continue on the successful path.
4. Track your progress: Use the pros and cons list to assist in tracking your progress. Identify the steps you have accomplished, the changes that your supports identify.
Write the changes down, keep a journal. Review the journal from start to the moment of change.
5. Don’t beat yourself up: Expect slip-ups. Use those as an opportunity to refocus don’t see them as failures or that the goal is unattainable.
6. Define the change you want to make in positive terms:
Defining the change in a positive way, gives one a positive motivation as opposed to seeing the change as a loss.
7. Give yourself time & stick to it: Give yourself enough time to plan for the change and don’t set time limits when you think the change should be reached. Do the best you can each day, taking it one day at a time. Change takes time. Before you know it, the change you are working towards will become a natural part of you.
8. Reward self: Celebrate your success with something you enjoy. Include your supports.
However, one can experience physical and the emotional reactions when going through the process of change. In a previous JFS newsletter, approaches were discussed to help person move towards positive change such as relaxing and taking care of self, getting physical exercise, talking to people, focusing on developing the new routines and try new things, maintaining traditions which are compatible with the new lifestyle and not fearing or avoiding the feelings created as a result of the change. While we can discuss any type of structuring to facilitate a change, the importance of sharing with family and friends increases the chances for success. However, when being able to reach out to others is not possible, the social workers at Jewish Family Service are available to work with you to plan for successfully making change and provide support.
Making Changes
By Don Minkoff, LCSW
SOURCES:http://www.glasssdoor/blog/tips-making-keeping-years-resolutions http://idbcrohns.about.com/cs/mentalhealth/a/newyearresolve.htm?p=1 http://.livescience.com/culture/100103-how-to-keep-resolutions.html
http://.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/howaboutthat/6895795/Key-to-keeping...
JFS Newsletter: Spring 2005
Thank You Volunteers
Jewish Family Service is very proud and happy to have such wonderful volunteers.
We would not be able to function and assist so many people without the many hours of work by our dedicated volunteers. It starts with a volunteer board, which guides the agency, volunteers who help with office work, dentists who volunteer to treat people in their offices through our dental clinic, shoppers for the
food pantry, and people who deliver Kosher Meals on Wheels to recipients. The possibilities are endless.
Once a year let us honor you!
In coordination with the National Volunteer Week JFS will hold its annual volunteer recognition party on Tuesday, April 20th, 2010.
Happenings at JFS
If only for one………..
I would like to tell you about a long-term relationship Jewish Family Service had with a local woman. It all started many years ago when concerned relatives turned to JFS for assistance.
Rachel*, in her 40’s , was an only child. She always had lived at home and had been taken care of by her parents.
Rachel had mental limitations but was able to maintain basic employment. When both parents passed away close to each other, Rachel was left alone. She kept her job; however, she fell back on her rent payments. Concerned relatives contacted JFS in order to get rent assistance and in addition expressed their concern about Rachel’s ability to keep house.
This was the beginning of an over 30 year span relationship between social workers from Jewish Family Service and Rachel. At the beginning the assistance accepted was only rent payment, however, as time went on a more trusting relationship was formed and more help was extended and accepted. The more open the professional relationship became the more issues came to the forefront that could be addressed and worked through; amongst other, every day living skills, tenant-landlord relationship, anxiety and money management. Rachel was referred to community services when and where appropriate. When it became time to stop driving, Rachel was helped through the transition and assisted in selling her car.
As Rachel aged, all relatives that had been in her life formerly had deceased and Jewish Family Service became the only constant relationship she had. Her abilities continued to decline and it became necessary for Rachel to have the services of a nursing home. JFS was there to support her through the decision making process and the adjustment period in the nursing home. The JFS social worker continued to support and counsel Rachel. When Rachel got sick the JFS social worker accompanied her to doctors visits, assisted her in making decisions relating to medical issues and JFS subsequently became the Power of Attorney for medical decisions. At one occasion when Rachel needed surgery, the JFS social worker was in the hospital with her till she was rolled into the Operation Room for the surgery.
It was the JFS social worker who was informed that the surgery was over and all went well. As Rachel liked stuffed animals, the social worker brought Rachel a stuffed dog to comfort her in the hospital; Rachel was thrilled! It was clear Rachel’s health was deteriorating. She wanted her finances to be settled and JFS assisted her in finding a lawyer to give legal advice. The JFS social worker accompanied and supported Rachel throughout her disease and difficult medical treatments.
During the last weeks of her life, Rachel was in care of a hospice unit and when the time came to pass, the social worker at JFS was called. Rachel was lying comfortably in her bed holding the little stuffed dog the social worker had given her in the hospital. The social worker had the honor to be with Rachel when she took her last few breaths.
Rachel helps us to understand the importance of JFS being there, if only for one.
*Name is fictitious due to client confidentiality.
By Maggy Bushwick, LCSW
Raffle Winners Announced
Congratulations to the JFS raffle winners! Iris Liebman won 1st Prize-Sony 32” High Definition LCD Screen TV;
Alex and Leah Ganz won 2nd Prize-Cannon 10 Megapixel Digital Camera;
Janet Holland won 3rd Prize-Garmin Nuvi Portable GPS Navigation System.
Thanks to all who participated in our raffle, which benefits JFS programs and services.
615 Jefferson Avenue, Suite 204 Scranton, PA 18510
FORWARDING SERVICE REQUESTED
Jewish Family Service of Lackawanna County is accredited by the Council on Accreditation of Services for Families and Children, Inc., Member of Association of Jewish Family and Children’s Agencies and is an affiliated organization of the United Way of Lackawanna County and the Jewish Federation of Northeastern Pennsylvania.
This newsletter is dedicated to the memory of Barbara Sapsowitz and to the continuation of her caring work within our community.
Non Profit Organization U.S. Postage
PAID Permit No. 116
Scranton, PA
Executive Director
Sheila Nudelman Abdo, ACSW, LCSW Social Worker
Don Minkoff, LCSW Social Worker Peter Dunford, LSW (Part Time Evening)
Coordinator Of Older Adult Services Marguerite Bushwick, LCSW
Business Manager Louis Balzani
Secretary Marla Tetlock Typist / Relief Receptionist
Anne Boland (Part Time) Dental Clinic Liaison
Rachele Edwards
STAFF Car Into Care
Help Jewish Family Service provide services to our neighbors in need by turning your Car Into Care!
EASY AS 1...2...3
1). Arrangements are made to pick up the car and handle all the necessary paperwork.
2). You receive the car’s full fair market value as a tax deduction.
3). Your donation helps JFS make a difference!
Call 1-877-537-4227 (toll free) and donate your car to Jewish Family Service of Lackawanna County.
Any questions or concerns, contact the local JFS office at 344-1186 and we will assist you.
GENERAL FUND
IN MEMORY Mildred Brown
Harriet & Paul Rosenstein Mr. Cassone
Alan & Michele Smertz Minnie Nogi
Rosalie Engelmyer Sally Bernstein
Rosalie Engelmyer Sheryl & Seth Gross Cynthia Danzig
Alan & Michele Smertz Florence R. Spelman
Sheila Spelman
Deirdre (Cookie) Spelman Theresa Levy
Paula Wasser Mr. Robert Kelly, Jr.
Myers, Brier & Kelly Blanche Fiegelman
Alan & Michele Smertz Lee & Joan Pilosi
Sheryl & Seth Gross Reva Sprung
Irwin Schneider Harold Gold
Sheryl & Seth Gross Mrs. Smith
Sheryl & Seth Gross Leah Ufberg
Nancy & Bill Johnson Nancy Brown Jenkins Charles Jenkins, M.D.
Alan & Michele Smertz Golda Young
Sheila & Larry Abdo Sam & Shirley Nudelman
Elynor K. Weiss Sheila & Larry Abdo Eileen Baine Rosalie Engelmyer Gloria Dinner
Alan & Michele Smertz & Family Irving Ziegler
Phyllis & Melvin Oram Drs. Henri & Marilyn Deutsch Harriet Smertz
Eileen Baine Bobbi & Ed Novick Rosalie Engelmyer Sheila & Larry Abdo Mr. & Mrs. Don Minkoff Dr. & Mrs. Daniel Ginsberg James Ellenbogen
Gloria Dinner Denise Robinson Jack Henzes
Harper Collins Publishers Morton & Harriet Smertz
Steve, Joanne, Stephen & Mark Kavulich Stephen J. Kuvalich
Nellie Remetz Sydelle O’Neill Norman Rosenberg
Sheila & Larry Abdo Sam & Shirley Nudelman Mildred Gritz
Paul & Harriet Rosenstein Ruth Michaelson
Sheila & Larry Abdo Sam & Shirley Nudelman Michael Schillinger
Sheila & Larry Abdo Elaine Levy
Rosalie Engelmyer Paul & Harriet Rosenstein Bill & Nancy Johnson Lyn Zlatin
Ginader Jones & Co.
Monroe Jurkowitz Ed & Bobbi Novick Sheila & Larry Abdo Austin Sherman
Paul & Harriet Rosenstein Frank Nutis
Alan & Michele Smertz & Family Bea Jaffe
Alan & Michele Smertz & Family Mrs. Scott Gordon
Laney & Bobby Ufberg SPEEDY RECOVERY Jerry Klein
Sheila & Larry Abdo Manya Kamerling
Sheila & Larry Abdo Sam & Shirley Nudelman
Jack Litman
Rosalie Engelmyer Joseph Brown
Rosalie Engelmyer Louis Plotkin
Laney & Bobby Ufberg Edwin Brandes
Bobbi & Ed Novick BIRTHDAYS
Jay Halprin
Sheryl & Seth Gross Lisa Halprin
Sheryl & Seth Gross Melba Nathan
Rosalie Engelmyer Sallye Jean Frohman
Sheryl & Seth Gross Phyllis Novick
Bobbi & Ed Novick Victoria Deutsch
Drs. Henri & Marilyn Deutsch Jacques Deutsch
Gloria Jurkowitz
Phyllis & Melvin Oram Rosalie Engelmyer
Phyllis & Melvin Oram Paul Alamar
Irwin Kalisher Mrs. Lillian Levy Howard Ufberg
Sheryl & Seth Gross
*Mildred Gritz
Phyllis & Melvin Oram Edwin Brandes
Bobbi & Ed Novick Louis Plotkin
Laney & Bobby Ufberg IN HONOR
Paula Wasser
Congratulations & Best Wishes on being honored by JFS
Joan Newman Syvia Eisenberg Jay & Tova Weiss Mrs. Sally Moskovitz Mr. & Mrs. Donald Dembert Esther Freedman
Louis & Anita Plotkin Helen Pinkus
Sara Morris Ed & Bobbi Novick Mr. & Mrs. Paul Alamar
Congratulations on your Grandson’s Upcoming wedding
Rosalie Engelmyer
Jewish Family Service of Lackawanna County is extremely grateful to the hundreds of families and individuals who participate in our Donation Card program and Tree of Life. It is a wonderful way to honor and recognize people in your life, and, at the same time, help Jewish Family Service. This listing includes gifts received April 1, 2009 through February 28, 2010. Please accept our apology if we have missed you. We researched carefully to be certain we included every- one, but occasionally mistakes get past us! If your name is not listed, or if you know of someone else’s name we have omitted, please contact us so we can properly acknowledge all efforts.
There are many ways to demonstrate your love to friends, family and loved ones in joy, celebration and even in sad- ness. A meaningful way to honor and remember is through a contribution to one of Jewish Family Service of Lackawanna County’s many funds. For a more permanent recognition, a silver, bronze or gold leaf can be purchased and displayed on the “Tree of Life”
which is located in the entranceway of the Myer Davidow Wing of the Jewish Community Center. More information can be obtained regarding a contribu- tion by calling the Jewish Family Service office at 344-1186.
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Ruth Gelb
In honor of your recognition by Temple Israel
Phyllis & Dr. Melvin Oram Cheri & Dan Rothman
In honor of the birth of a baby girl Sheryl & Seth Gross
Dr. & Mrs. Howard Wimmer
In honor of the birth of their grandson Nancy & Bill Johnson
Bev & Jerry Klein Bev & Jerry Klein
In honor of the birth of your Great Grandaughter
Anya, Galina & Greg Krug Jack Litman
In honor of your continued good health Rosalie Engelmyer
Joseph Brown
In honor of your continued good health Rosalie Engelmyer
Dorie Spiegel
Good Luck on your new home Phyllis & Melvin Oram
WEDDINGS, ANNIVERSARIES &
ENGAGEMENTS Mr. & Mrs. Jerry Klein
In honor of their 60th anniversary Irwin Kalisher
Mrs. Lillian Levy Mr. & Mrs. Hans Dreher
In honor of their 50th anniversary Mr. & Mrs. Alan Smertz & Family
MAE S. GELB
KOSHER FOOD PANTRY
SPEEDY RECOVERY Edwin Brandes
Bev & Jerry Klein
IN MEMORY Sally Bernstein
Marcia Myers Theresa Levy
Joan A. Farrell Minnie Nogi
Bev & Jerry Klein Mildred (Mickie) Brown
Bev & Jerry Klein Blanche Fiegleman
Deirdre Spelman Harold Englemyer
Bev & Jerry Klein Annette Levy
Bev & Jerry Klein Leah Ufberg
Bev & Jerry Klein
Harriet Smertz Bev & Jerry Klein Paula Wasser Elynor Weiss
Bev & Jerry Klein Monroe Jurkowitz
Paula Wasser Bev & Jerry Klein Nancy Dembert Stahller
Paula Wasser Bea Jaffe
Bev & Jerry Klein Lois Isaacs
Bev & Jerry Klein Lilly Isakov
Bev & Jerry Klein Elaine Levy
Bev & Jerry Klein Monroe Jurkowitz
Paula Wasser Bev & Jerry Klein Bea Jaffe
Bev & Jerry Klein Lois Isaacs
Bev & Jerry Klein Lilly Isakov
Bev & Jerry Klein IN HONOR David Dickstein
In honor of his special birthday Bev & Jerry Klein
Doris Spiegel
In honor of her 80th birthday Bev & Jerry Klein
Sid Kausman
In honor of his Bar Mitzvah Bev & Jerry Klein Gail Offenberg
In honor of her Marriage Bev & Jerry Klein Bev & Jerry Klein
In honor of their 60th Wedding Anniversary Judy, Louis & Marc Premselaar
Rachel, Larry & Maya Presser Manuel & Carol Kaplan Dr. & Mrs. Edward Boehm
In honor of receiving the B’nai B’rith Award Bev & Jerry Klein
Bob Rosenberg
In honor of his special birthday Bev & Jerry Klein
Alison Herlands
In honor of passing the bar exam Bev & Jerry Klein
BARBARA SAPSOWITZ MEMORIAL FUND
IN MEMORY Barbara Sapsowitz
Mel Sapowitz
Rabbi Marna Sapowitz Muriel Troy & Family IN HONOR
Alex & Sabrina Chazan In honor of their Wedding
Mel Sapsowitz
SHERI & BARRY FINKELSTEIN FUND
IN MEMORY Blanche Fiegleman
Naomi & Hal Finkelstein Lawrence Gallagher
Naomi & Hal Finkelstein Gerald Cochrane
Naomi & Hal Finkelstein Edward Fallick
Naomi & Hal Finkelstein Austin Sherman
Naomi & Hal Finkelstein Lewis Zeidman
Naomi & Hal Finkelstein
DR. STEPHEN I. ROSENTHAL HEALTHY FAMILY FUND
IN MEMORY David C. Rosenthal
Betsy Rosenthal
“TREE OF LIFE”
IN MEMORY Eileen Baine
A Bronze Leaf was placed on The Tree of Life in honor of your Special Birthday
Ruth Fallick Joan Frantz Nancy Friedman Dorothy Haas
A Bronze Leaf has been placed on The Tree of Life in honor of our Aunt Eileen’s 80th Birthday
Carol, David, Steven, Leah, Jeffrey &
Michele Goldberg
* In Blessed Memory
